GO JIU BUJITSU ASSOCIATION 2006

YUDANSHA BELT PROGRESSION & SYMBOLISM
(Know your instructors rank by their belt and what each represent.)

Black Belt – standard 1 ¾” black belt embroidered in red with: Go Jiu Bujitsu written in Kanji and the fist of strength, on the right; and, Respect in Kanji and the heart of love, on the left.

Shodan (1st) through Sandan (3rd) – same as black belt with 1, 2 or 3 red embroidered or fabric stripes above the embroidered heart and below the Kanji.

Yondan (4th) and Godan (5th) – Lower Shihan Level – 1 ¾” black belt with ¼” red border around the entire belt on both the top and bottom edges; same embroidery as the black belt but in gold; and either 4 or 5 gold embroidered or fabric stripes.

Rokudan (6th) and Shichidan (7th) – Upper Shihan Level – 1 ¾”  alternating black and red panel belt; same embroidery as the black belt but in gold; and either 6 or 7 gold embroidered or fabric stripes.

Hachidan (8th) and Kudan (9th) – Grandmaster Level – 1 ¾”  alternating red and black panel belt; same embroidery as the black belt but in gold; and either 8 or 9 gold embroidered or fabric stripes.

 

Shuseki Shihan Jeff Tirshfield, Soke Dai Go Jiu Bujitsu –
(Head/Top Master Teacher Jeff Tirshfield, Designated 2nd/Next Headmaster Go Jiu Bujitsu)
1 ¾” red belt with ¼” black border around the entire belt on both the top and bottom edges; same embroidery as the black belt on the right, but in gold; name, positional title in Kanji and the heart of love on the left.

Doshu Mark J. Colangelo, Shūso – Soke Go Jiu Bujitsu –
(Master of the Way/Head of Style Mark J. Colangelo, Founder  - Headmaster Go Jiu Bujitsu)
1 ¾” red belt with 1/8” embroidered gold border around the entire belt on both the top and bottom edges; same embroidery as the black belt on the right, but in gold; name, positional title in Kanji and the heart of love on the left.

The belt progression of the yudansha (black belt through Kudan [9th], Shuseki Shihan and Doshu in Go Jiu Bujitsu demonstrates an ever increasing level of responsibility going up the ranks by the visible increase in the amount of the color red in each belt. Additionally, the color of embroidery changes from red to gold at the Shihan (Master Teacher) level also visibly demonstrating an ever increasing level of a commitment to teach and lead with the ideals of Go Jiu Bujitsu foremost in mind, those being the fist of strength (in mind, body & spirit), the heart of love (in thought, word & deed) and the Golden Rule to treat others as you would have them treat you. *The gold embroidery is to serve as a constant reminder of the responsibility and commitment to lead with and by these ideals.

 

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